- China Destination Guide

click to learn more about financial protection

China travel and tour destination Guangzhou

China Destination Guide - Guangzhou

Guangzhou (formerly known as Canton) is one of China's commercial hubs and heavily influenced by nearby Hong Kong. The pace of development here is staggering as being the capital of Guangdong province also means being capital of the workshop of the world. However, there are still signs of the old foreign concession of "Canton" on the newly restored Shamian Island as well as villas, gardens and unique temples hidden away down back streets. And if that isn't enough there is food - the Cantonese are said to eat anything that moves so you won't be going hungry here!

What there is to see...

Shamian Island was literally a sand bank before becoming the base of the foreign concession then known as Canton. Many of the colonial buildings have been restored and traffic restrictions make the pace of life slow here in comparison the rest of the city.
The Roman Catholic Cathedral Of The Sacred Heart and it's 48m high bell towers is another blast from the colonial past.
An evening Cruise along the Pearl River is a great way to escape the bustling streets and appreciate modern Guangzhou's neon skyline.
The Mausoleum of Sun Yat Sen, founder of the Republic of China in the 1920's and still revered today as one of the founders of modern China.
The Buddhist Temple Of The Six Banyan Trees dates back to 537AD but sadly the trees are no more.
The Chen Clan Ancestoral Hall is an extraordinary building and a highlight of Guangzhou. Unique in design this compound impressives even the most templed out.
For art lovers, the Guangzhou Museum of Art has a good mix of art from political cartoons to Tibetan tapestries.

Tours we offer that include Guangzhou

click for more information on our
China self-guided adventure SG-02

click for more information on our
China self-guided adventure SG-03

click for more information on our
China Tailor Made tours

Best time to visit Guangzhou

Guangzhou can be visited year round but the best months tend to be October to March for good weather and dryness. Smmers are hot and humid but with frequent rain showers to keep it bearable.

Best reason to visit Guangzhou

The Chen Ancestoral Hall is our favourite place. Even if you think you have had enough of temple architecture this is something quite different and as well as the compound itself some of the art and craft exhibits inside are worth the time alone.

Our last word on Guangzhou

Not up there as one of China's "must sees" perhaps plays into Guangzhou's hands as this city has plenty to offer the visitor in both sights and history and to see suc an interesting city being itself without being overrun by tourists is a delight.